- solicits support
- vows to provide quality representation
By Banji Ayoola
A former Nigerian envoy to the Republic of Togo and a leading Ondo South senatorial aspirant, Ambassador Sola Iji, has vowed to commit his whole being to honestly serving his people if elected into the Senate.
Besides, he stressed the need to be guided by a sense of equity, fairness, balance and justice in deciding the next Senator to represent the district in the red chamber of the National Assembly.
A statement by the Director General of Ambassador Sola Iji Campaign Organisation, ASICO., Onibudo ‘Wole Iroaye, said that Iji spoke at two meetings with delegates and party leaders of Odigbo Local Government, where he solicited their support for his aspiration
According to the statement, the former envoy “explained that apart from Ese-Odo Local Government, all other Local Governments in the district have gone to the Senate.
“He moved on to mention Senators Omololu Meroyi from Odigbo; Ehinlawo from Ilaje; Boluwaji Kunlere from Okitipupa; Yele Omogunwa from Irele; and the incumbent Senator Nicholas Tofowomo from Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo Local Government. He said, it is now the turn of Ese-Odo Local Government. Zoning is, therefore, important. We must not allow a local government to monopolize the ticket.
“I am part of the process that is building the party. I’m one of you and I want you to support my candidacy. ”
He added: “I have worked for the Party. I’m still interested in working for the Party. Nobody among those who are contesting with me has the magnitude of the work I have done for the Party.
“Talking equity, it’s the turn of Ese-odo Local Government to go to the Senate. We must, therefore, zone this position to the Local Government. As responsible leaders of our great Party, we must not close our eyes and allow other Local Governments to continue to enjoy the ticket without any consideration to the Council where I come from, saying: “Ese-odo has not done it, even for once.”
The statement said that he “applauded the delegates and party leaders for being very committed members of the party and implored them to support him to secure the senatorial ticket of the party.
“Ambassador Iji who said the DG. had explained why we were here, apologised for coming late.
“We have come a long way, so l am a very familiar person to you. I have come to solicit your support to get to the Senate. At the Senate, l know what l am going to do there. I will use my legislative powers effectively to better the lots of the good people of our senatorial district.
“I need your total support. I have good intentions for our party and our people. In my time as a Senator, you will see verifiable impacts of quality representation’, he assured.
“He went further to say that ‘Senators may not do road, give electricity. But we can facilitate that. Therefore, when I get there, I will use my legislative powers to help our people. Somebody that you will have access to must be one of you. I’m one of you, I have been with you. I’m part of the process that is building the party. I’m one of you and I want you to support my candidacy.
“Academically there’s no colleague of mine that can push me aside. As the representative of the President in Togo, I feel I’m most qualified to represent the South Senatorial District at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is a lot of experience. I beg you to accept me and help me get the ticket.”
Iji also appreciated Baba Gbadeyan who had served the Party for about 15 years to have transformed to the Councilor.
He said: “l want the support of the Council Officials because you are closer to those who are going to vote. Therefore, I need your support. This is the first time to vote for somebody from our Party, saying that ‘I have the experience, capacity, capability and integrity which I can stake. I’ll not allow money and other extraneous factors to derail my focus when I get there. There’s no one among those contesting with me that can claim to have worked more than I have done in our Party.”
He thanked them for the honour done him to address them.
Earlier, lroaye had expressed gratitude to the party leaders and delegates for being in attendance.
While introducing his principal, he described Iji as “a father, comrade, notable leader of leaders and lawyer by profession who was Ondo State Chairman of AD, AC and ACN respectively.
“Omoluwabi eniyan ni; eni ola; eni iyi; eni ti o se e gb’okan le.”
He appealed to the delegates and party leaders to support him.
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the Party in the local government agreed with Iji that “it is now the turn of Ese-Odo to produce the next Senator, saying that ori obirin, ori okunrin a je ki won de ‘be.’ Ambassador is a good man. He’s a friend to my father.’
Hon. Giwa, in his own response, said, ‘Oro yin dara, o dun un gbo. It is only Ese-odo LG. that has not done it. We need a responsible person to lead us. Will you have mercy for us, if we vote for you?”
Also, a former Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Fabiyi, “who said that in an ideal situation, nobody should contest with Ambassador, described Sola Iji as a full party man who is very firm, stable and reliable and has good attributes that endear him to us.
“According to him, being the first time the party would be producing Senator from the Senatorial district, a reliable person like Ambassador Iji is the Party’s best bet.”
On his own, the Local Government Party Chairman, Alhaji F. Olawale, who also welcomed Iji and thanked him for visiting them, “assured him of their maximum support and opined that Iji is a well known leader of the Party to them. He wished him well in his ambition.”
At his meeting with the Council Officials, the Leader of the Council, Hon. Tomide Ifalodun, said: “l am happy about the analysis given by the Ambassador. No pride in what you are saying. I’m moved. I like people working with you.”
The Vice Chairman of the Council in his own reaction said: ‘Eni ti o j’iya, o ye ki o je oro o re. You have suffered for the Party. You were kept in the booth of a vehicle at a time in the cause of the Party. By the Grace of God, you will get there. No doubt, you tower over the other aspirants.”
In her conclusive remarks, the Executive Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Hon (Mrs) Margaret Akinsuroju, appreciated Iji for coming to them, saying: “Ambassador is a good leader who has the pedigree, experience and capacity to be a Senator.
“We must allow you to go so that others can be developed in the process. It is true that only Ese-odo Local Government has not gone to the Senate. It gives me concern. Others should step down for him. He will get there by the Grace of God. But, when you get there Sir, don’t forget our people.”
Giving the vote of thanks, Iroaye “appreciated the Chairman and the other officials of the Council for the kind hospitality extended to ASICO.”
According to the statement: “He praised the Councilors for expressing their views without fear or favour. He enjoined them to see the project, Sola Iji for Senate, as their own task. He appreciated all the attendees for their very positive responses and further assured them that his Principal would not disappoint them. The meeting ended with a grace said in unison with a certain recitation of a portion of the Bible.”
In attendance at the first of the two meetings were Local Government Party Executive Council (EXCO) members, Ward Chairmen and Secretaries as well as party leaders, while the second meeting was attended by the Local Government Council Chairman, Vice Chairman, Leader of Council, Councilors and Secretary to the Local Government.
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